Chicks and Sticks

After nap yesterday we decided it was a good day to clean the chicks' box and give them some fresh air. What a great idea that was! It was wonderful seeing the chicks run around our yard! At frist Adalee and Ryland couldn't get enough of the chicks. They chased them and picked them up and tried to feed them clover.

Being outside with the chicks was the perfect way for Ryland to engage with them. He was able to "try" to pick them up! He chased them around the yard bending down every once in awhile to grab one. However, the chicks had enough room to roam. He wasn't able to get his hands around their necks but he didn't care. He enjoyed following them everywhere.

Kerrigan was separated from her friends for awhile. She wasn't so sure she liked that, but Ryland did! (Note: he is dressed with accessories because we had popsicles before the chicks. I don't always dress him in bib and hat.)

I'm really proud of Adalee. She has such a gentle and nurturing side to her. She is so comfortable with the chickens. They seem to like her too. She asks big questions about them and is always eager to get to know them. After we played with the chicks for awhile Adalee and Ryland went to the Coop and gave the Pullets hay. It was wonderful seeing them play and work together. For Adalee, it was work. She even said to me, "Don't talk to me right now, I'm working. When Dadday gets home, let him know I'm working hard."
For Ryland, giving hay to the Pullets was special attention from and time with his sister. For me...a sure sign that my life is getting easier. My kids are playing with each other and becoming their own entertainment!

Chickens in our Bathroom

Adalee and Ryland love their chickens. Every morning they saunter into the bathroom to see how the chickens handled the night. The first words spoken are, "Can I hold my chickens?" Usually we reply with, "Not right now.", but today I decided to have a little fun! While I was getting ready for the day I let the chicks Kerrigan, Alusa and Eliza "hang-out". Adalee does pretty well at picking them up. She's gentle, but not patient. She gets a little frustrated when they run away from her. However, with a little perserverence and calming encouragement from Mom, she ends up with the prize on her lap.

Ryland on the other hand likes to torture the chicks. He sees his sister pick them up so he tries to follow suit. (He's good at trying everything she does. What does this tell us?) Lately Ryland has taken to pounding on the box and saying, "chhh, chhh, chhhh".

Alusa was lucky to get away from Ryland's death grip. Man, it's hard engaging both kids at various levels. I guess the chickens too will learn to persevere.
Adalee gets so excited when the chicks hang out that she can't stop jumping up and down.

Strawberry Picking or Just Picking

We went Strawberry Picking last weekend. Though there weren't many strawberries, and the sky was about to open up on us, we had a lot of fun. Like normal Adalee ate more strawberries then she put in the bucket. Ryland joined her in that affair this year!

Ryland and Mom went strawberry picking again while Adalee was at art camp. He loved every minute of his "Mommy and Me" time. I think he loved it even more because he was surrounded by pure blissful round and plump juicy red STRAWBERRIES!

We have a few quarts frozen in our freezer. Mom isn't satisfied with the stock-pile. She may go back this coming week for more!

More Camping

Holding Ryland while camping can be a tricky task. Ryland loves exploring. Too bad jagged rocks and other protruding objects cross his path!
We tried to entertain him in our arms, but he wanted nothing of it. Daddy got a bit annoyed, but came to the conclusion that...if he sleeps through the night, I can chase him around all day long!








Don't we look so cute together? Can you tell that I'm grimacing and holding all the tension back? Ryland: "I want to get down."
Papa: "I don't want to chase you around anymore."
Ryland: "I want to get down. I want to get down. Put me down. I'll scream."
Papa: "Okay I'll put you down."
Ryland: "What is this big rock? Can I climb it?"
Papa: "Your turn, Tiffany."

Camping

We went camping this past week. Papa had two site visits outside Brattleboro, VT. Instead of him driving 6 hours two days in a row, we decided to go with him.

Mom loves Brattleboro. After dropping Daddy off at the West River, we took a little adventure with Mom. We threw rocks in the West River. Then we headed into Brattleboro for some coffee and books. When Daddy's site visit was over we set out for camp at Townshend State Park.











When camp was set up we went for a little walk in the woods. We saw so many Newts! Adalee was really into the creatures around us. She was a little disturbed by the "smushed" newts on the camp road, but quickly bounced back when a baby Leopard frog hopped by.
Ryland took a nap in the Ergo while we hiked. When he woke up we headed back to camp to start on dinner. We were cooking on the fire and wood needed to be gathered and the fire started. (that's Mom's favorite part of camping)











Adalee loved the fire and her big comfy camp chair.

Dressing Up

Adalee and her best buddies got all dressed up for the best playdate ever!

Emmett, Juni and Adalee put on their very best and walked the cat walk in style. Stay tuned for more "Fancy Nancy" attire this coming summer. We are sure to entertain and delight!

Trip to Shelburne Farms

Grandmom and Grandpop Ron came to visit. It was a very enjoyable time. We went to Shelburne Farms and rode the tractor to the Farm Barn. Adalee was really excited about it while Ryland was more interested in the airplanes flying overhead and the manure speader fertilizing the fields.



The chickens are always fun to torture. Adalee is hoping she can soon torture her own chickens. The coop in our backyard is ready for a few hens to move in!
After a playing hard and visiting all the animals we ate a delicious lunch under the flight of Gulls. They tried to eat our sandwhiches, but we didn't let them. Grandmom made sure to shew them away!